I, like many people, watched The Princess Bride before I knew it was a book, before I was old enough to really care. It is a classic movie, and I don't know anybody who dislikes it.
I have wanted to read the book ever since discovering that one exists. I read it for the 2015 Reading Challenge as my classic romance because, of course, The Princess Bride is principally a romance.
As the author is also the movie's screenwriter, it is not surprising that the books is practically a book version of the movie. That's what it is. And in that respect, it is delightful.
I have mixed feelings about Goldman himself. I read the prologue in which he talks about why he abridged The Princess Bride the way he did, etc, with some stuff about his life. I found myself relating to him but also feeling like it wasn't entirely true. As The Princess Bride is not in fact an abridged version of anything, but is entirely his work, I feel like everything he says is a lie. [I have since read up on wikipedia about this and all of his life as he writes about it in the prologue is made-up. He is a big fat liar and therefore an unreliable but amusing narrator.]
Nonetheless and author quirks aside, I really enjoyed this book. The story is exciting and fast-paced, though Goldman interrupts at times to explain why he has "left out" certain parts. I was unsure how I felt about it. It correlates excellently back to the movie, but it also takes some of the continuity away from the story. That said, Goldman is a wondrous story-spinner and The Princess Bride is a delightful read with no shortage of action, adventure, and romance. It is very funny and quick to read, and I believe could be enjoyed by readers of many different preferences and ages.